Known for its sun, sand and sea, the Caribbean offers many getaway destinations for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

While it’s unlikely that anyone, ever, will get tired of the fantastic offering of sun, sand and sea, many islands have begun ramping up promotions of their culinary offerings in recent years as well.

There has been an explosion of food festivals celebrating rum, fruit, crab, chocolate and a lot more, all throughout the region.

Our Today took the time out to put together a list of a few of the amazing annual gastronomical events where you too can sample the delectable cuisine of the islands.

Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, Jamaica

Food, food and more food! That’s the picture of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival.

The Festival is an annual celebration that draws every foodie in Jamaica, as well as from other parts of world.

Jamaica Food and Drink Festival offers five individual, themed nights, with contributions from some of the island’s best restaurants and chefs.

If you want it chances, are you can get it at this event which feature everything from exquisite meals paired with wines, to a pork extravaganza and ‘all things fried’ evenings, culminating in a weekend of numerous events.

All Andros Crab Fest, Bahamas

How do you like your crab? However you like it, you’ll find it at All Andros Crab fest in the Bahamas.

Each year since 1997, tourists and Bahamians alike enjoy a total crab extravaganza every summer.

The event is held the second week in June on Andros Island, the largest of the 26 inhabited islands of the Bahamas, located 77 km southwest of Nassau.

Highlights include a crab culinary contest, crab cultural display and land crabs cooked 101 ways.

So, if you are a crab lover this is definitely the festival for you.

Cayman Cookout, Cayman Islands

With partners like the Ritz-Carlton and Food & Wine Magazine, Cayman Cookout stands out as one of the most popular Caribbean food festival, with this expectations are always pretty high.

The multi-day event includes tastings, demonstrations and excursions, as well as appearances by celebrity chefs and spirit experts.

A premier luxury culinary festival, Cayman Cookout is among the world’s most treasured celebrations of food and wine and offers guests an exclusive gastronomic weekend.

The festival offers a diverse collection of immersive cooking demonstrations, delectable epicurean experiences, poolside parties and beachside relaxation that can only be found in Grand Cayman. 

Portland Jerk Festival, Jamaica

Jamaica is known for its jerk international and so it’s only natural that the island hosts an event that allows jerk lovers from all over the world to gather and indulge in authentic jerk cuisine.

On the first Sunday every July, Jamaicans and visitors to the island make the journey to Portland on the east coast for the country’s largest celebration of its signature spicy jerk cuisine.

The Portland Jerk Festival offers delicious food, arts and crafts, and a concert to keep guests entertained as they sample lobster, conch, sausage, chicken, pork and more across the grounds.

Food, Wine & Rum Festival, Barbados

In November, near the time of Barbados’ independence, travelers from around the world visit the eastern Caribbean island to eat, drink and be merry at the annual Food, Wine and Rum Festival.

Stars like Marcus Samuelsson, and a number of international chefs, come together with local chefs to share techniques and create a memorable spread gastronomy for their guests.

As home to the world’s oldest documented rum factory, the event organisers believed it was important to incorporate lots of rum into the proceedings.

Mango & Food Festival, Nevis

Mi love yuh mango! How much do you love mango? Well, if you happen to love mango a whole lot then Mango and Food Festival is a festival you can’t afford to miss.

Nevis, the sister island to St Kitts, hosts its Mango and Food Festival each July. This fairly young festival takes place over four days with dining, cooking demos, master cook-along classes and a beach celebration.

One of the unique obligations for participating chefs is that each and every course of every meal must have Nevis mangoes incorporated.

The weekend’s climax is the Nevisian Chefs’ Mango Feast, a challenge of creativity and skill as an ode to the entertaining gastronomic thrills of the king of fruit.